By Pat Bradley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-1003644.mp3
Albany, NY – The League of Conservation Voters scorecard includes 11 Senate and 35 House votes ranging from public health to clean energy and conservation. New York League of Conservation Voters Spokesman Dan Hendrick says it's the largest number of votes they have ever assessed.
While nationally the House was considered quite anti-environment, Hendrick says New York State's delegation scored fairly high.
Adirondack Mountain Club Executive Director Neil Woodworth says the negative grades in the House reflect a heavy Tea Party influence on Congress.
Woodworth notes that the Senate was able to forestall the House efforts. As for the New York grades he says politically the state is very green.
Adirondack Council Spokesman John Sheehan says it's no coincidence that the worst Congress in terms of the environment also has the worst overall approval rating from the general public.
New York Republican grades ranged from 0 to 43. Four Democratic New York House members scored 100. The lowest scoring Democrat was Bill Owens at 63. The Congressman believes the reason for his low score was his support for the Keystone pipeline.